Shaking grate for furnaces



y 1932@ A. J. KOEPSELL 1,861,015

SHAKING GRATE FOR FURNACES Filed Aug. 28, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l May 31, 193 A. J. KOEPSELL 51 SHARING GRATE FOR FURNACES Filed Aug. 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y- 1932- A. J. KOEP$ELL 1,351,015

SHAKING GRATE FOR FURNACES Filed Aug. 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May '31, 1932 i nuousrir. KQEIPSELL, or MAYVILLE; WISCONSIN SHAKING GRATE FOR FURNACES Application filed'August 28, 1928. Serial No. 302,563;

This invention: relatestofurnace gratesand particularly to those grates 'in which 'oscil-' latory grate bars arexusedadapted to beoscillatiect for'thepurp'oseof shaking up the ashes.

and cindersron thegra-te, idischargingmthe ashes-and; pennitting .,-the passage of air through the-firebeds One of the objects: of the present. invention is to provide a grate, the principle of which may ber-applized eithertto large or small grates and which is-soconstructed: that either in largemrsmallgrates theproper proportionate area for the? passageof air and: the

proper proportionate area" for the passage of A further object isto' provide. "a gratewof this kindjlwhic'hmay. beajarrangediiso as to merely 'sha ke'zt'he ;firer bedsand discharge the fi'neeashes therefizomi or which may be dumped and. in this: connection 'td-provide; means.

whereby the grate may :berheldfrom accidental? .dumpi-ngzwhile shaking, this; means being shiftable" torpermit; the rotation of the grate bars to a' dumpingipositioni e Other objects'will.appeariin the.-:courseofthefollowing description; I

My'invention -i's illustrated in the'acconr panying'drawings1wherein: I

Figured: isa;-'topplan: view o-f one'form. ofmyinipr0ved 'grates;.

- Figure 2- is a front" elevation? otthe grate showingr-in dotted-lines; the position. of: the grate: bars andishowinginssection a: part of the: grate" frame and the-supporttherefont in section;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a modified form-of gratei embodyinggthe 1 same principle Figurer l isatransyerse'sectionlthroughthis grate '1 o Figurei-5 israwfra-gmentary top plan-view of another; embodiment-10f grate made under my system: and-showingamodificationof the lockingmeans-therefoh'i Figure: disan'zelevation of the-locking or liniit1ngmeans-;-the@ shafts: being in section; and

Fgure r 7 is a transverse :sectionalwview throughithe grate shown iin F 5;; v

In-Eigs; 1 and-2, I have illustrateda grate fora relatively large-firepot and ashpit and in this drawing, 10 designates therim of the grate :flanged at 11 so that it may-be supported uponithe inwardly extending-flange 12 of the fire-box and above the ash pit 18. The rim 10 is preferably a split rim, that is, the rim is formed'in two sections, andthe opposite inner margins ofthe rim/are formed with a plurality of inwardlyextending lugs 14. Extending. through the rim or as illustrated having bearing against the under faces of the rim, are a plurality of shafts l5 and 16, the numeral 16 designating'the'middle shaft of the three-shaftsillustrated; Each shaft 15 carries upon it a shaking-grate section 17 This gratesectionas illustrated has the shaft 15 formed integral with it, as for instance as by-casting and projecting'from opposite ends of the grate section. i

Each grate-section 17 is formed with, a plurality ofopenings'l8, the openings at the middle of-the. grate section'being relatively longand the openings atthe end being-relatively short, so that the'outer ends of these openings are disposedon a curved line conforming to the curvature? of the outer margin or edge of the grate section. The outer margin; or. edgeof the grate section 17"is pro vided'with outwardlyqprojecting lugs 19 whichfiextend-into thespaces between the lugs 14. In other words, the rim 10and the grate: sections 17 are interdigit'ated; The inner.- margin of each grate section 17 is also formed with aplurality ofinwardly projecting lugs 20 disposed approximately opposite the lugsl9; Themiddle shaft is cast with or carries'upon it the middle grate section 21 which is formed-in its lateral margin with the laterally projecting lugs 22 which-interdigitate with the lugs 20 and with lugs for'medupon the rim 1O beyond the ends of the grate sections 17-. The middle of the grate section 2l is preferablyformed with a series ofi'openings 23. The cross section of the grate sections-or grate bars 17 and21 shows, as illustrated in Fig. 2, that these bars or sections are slightly rounded at their ends and. that; they have a depth of approximately iour inchesthough this-depth may be reduced .to three inchestunder some circumstances, as will hereafter appear. Thethree 1 ill) shafts 15 and 16 are formed, each at one end with means whereby a crank may be applied thereby and whereby these grate bars 17 and 21 ma be rocked or oscillated independently of eac other.

These grate bars may also be turned into a vertical position for dumping the fire pot, but in order to prevent the bars from being turned to this dumped position accidentally, I provide the like ends of all of the shafts 15 and 16 with the outwardly projecting lugs or stops 24, see Fig. 2, therebeing two diametricall opposed stops or lugs on each shaft. ounted in con unction with the shafts is a sliding bar 25 carried upon any suitable guide, as for instance, the cross bar 26 this locking bar 25 being cut away at three points as at 27, and one end wall of this cut away portion is formed with an inwardly projecting lug or stop 28. This locking bar 25 is connected to any suitable means whereby it may be shifted into or out of operative position, as for instance the lever 29. When the locking bar is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the lugs 28 limit the oscillation of any one of the shafts 15 or 16 approximately to a quarter turn from the normal in one direction or the other. When, however, the locking bar is drawn laterally to the left in Fig. 2 the stops 28 are drawn out of the path of movement of the lugs 24 and the grate bars may be rotated through a half or a whole rotation. When the grate bars are turned so that they are vertical they are in dumping position and the clinkers, ashes, and unburned coal on the grate may be discharged into the ash pit. When the locking bar is in position, however, it limits the rotation of the several grate bars to approximately a quarter turn from normal position, and the fire bed is merely shaken.

It will be noted that the lateral faces of the grate bars are so formed that clinkers or unburned coal are little likely to am between the grate bars. This reduces the chance of breaking the teeth or lugs on the ate bars and reduces the likelihood of jamming, which is present in the ordinary grate.

This is particularly true by reason of the fact that the grate bars are independently oscillatable. This type of grate is very simple and has no gearing whatsoever and is therefore convenient to operate. The form, shape, and arrangement of one grate section relative to the next grate section is such that the pinching of clinkers between the grate sections is impossible. I It will be seen that inasmuchas the grate rim or frame is made in two sections and these sections are disposed so that the line of separation is transverse to the grate bars, it is an easy matter to pull off these sections from the grate bars and thus these sections and the grate bars may be entirely separated from each other and the previously described. In this case grate readily taken down and replaced without taking the furnace apart.

In order to avoid the weakening of the extremities of the grate sections or bars, 17 these sections or bars terminate short of the grate sections 21 and the rim 10 is formed with openings 30 through which ashes will sift.

In Fig. 5 I illustrate another form of grate adapted for a different sized fire pot but embodyingthe same principle as in the grate the rim 31 is also circular in form and provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting lugs 32 on opposite sides of the rim, these lugs at the middle of the rim being relatively long, and at the ends of the rim being relatively short. Each of these lugs, as illustrated in Fig. 7, is cut away atits end face as at 33. Rotatably mounted on the rim 31 are two longitudinally extending shafts 34 which extend beyond the cut away portions 33 of the lugs 32, these shafts carrying the laterally projecting lugs 35 constituting grate bars. The lugs 35 on one shaft are in staggered and interdigitating relation to the lugs 35 on theadjacent shaft as shown in Fig. 5, and the lugs on each shaft are of such length that they extend nearly to the adjacent shaft.

Inasmuch as the lugs or grate bars on one shaft are in staggered relation to the lugs or bars on the other shaft, it follows that the lugs 32 on one side of the rim are in staggered relation to the lugs on the other side of the rim. The ends of the grate bars or la 35 are rounded as shown in Fig. 7. Preferably, these lugs or bars 35 are four inches in depth and are of such length that when the bars are turned into vertical position, the space between the bars will be four inches, thus leaving ample space for dumping. Each of'the shafts 34 is adapted, as before described, for engagement by a crank whereby the bars may be oscillated and the same locking arrangement or one equivalent thereto may be used for preventing the grate bars from being accidentally turned to a dumping position when shaking the grate, this locking bar being shiftable so as to permit the grate bars being turned to a vertical position.

I I have illustrated in connection with this grate another form of locking means in which the shafts 34 are provided with diametrically extending locking lugs or stops 36, and in which the locking means consist of two slidably mounted members 37 disposed side-byside and longitudinally slotted at 38, each of these members being provided with teeth 39 engaged by a pinion 40, the shaft of which extends to the exterior of the furnace. By turning this shaft in one'direction the members 37 will be shifted in one direction towardthe shafts 34 and by turning the shaft in the opposite direction the shafts 34 will be shifted in the opposite direction. OI18X' tremity of each member 37 is beveled as at 41 on its opposite-faces; these beveled-faces acting as stops limitingtheim'ovement of lugs-36 so that the shaft can only make'a quarter turn. By retracting these two sec tions'37 they may bewithdra wn from their stopping position, and the grate bars may then be .completely rotated= In Fig. 3 I have' illustrated another form of grate suitable for certain sizes' of" grates as will be later stated. This grate alsoembodies the same principleas the gratesheretofore described and includes the rinr42 formed with the inwardly projecting lugs 43. This rim may be made in two sections, if desired, coacting with the rim are the two lateral shafts 44 and the middle shaft 45. The lateral shafts are formed with the lateral projecting lugs or arms 46 whichinterdigitate with the lugs 43 and the middle shaft is provided with the lugs 47 which are disposed in staggered relation with the lugs 46 on the shaft 44. These lugs in an 18 inch grate are preferably three inches deep so that when the lugs are turned to a vertical position there will be ample space for the discharge of olinkers, unburned coal, etc. If the lugs are three inches in depth there will be a space of three inches between the lugs when turned to a vertical position and if four inches in depth there will be a space of two inches.

It is to be noted that in all of these grates, the grate bars are of such depth that they may be reversed when one surface of the bar is badly burned. The middle bar of a three-bar grate may, of course, be completely reversed as it stands, but the lateral bars of a three-bar grate must be not only reversed, but interchanged with each other. In the two-bar grate the bars may be reversed and interchanged, but inthis case they must also be turned end-for-end. The two-bar grate is particularly designed for one size measuring less than 24 inches in diameter, thus fire pots measuring from 24 to 36 inches should have three bars and those measuring from 36 to 48 inches should have four grate bars or sections. Because of the fact that the grate bars are particularly deep (three or four inches) a thorough shaking of the grate is possible through sections of the grate in which one section is stationary while the other is being violently oscillated. In these circumstances the ashes, clinkers, or fuel are not likely to be caught and ground up because these sections which move back and forth are uniform in shape. Individual grates rotate partially so as to accomplish this shaking and sifting movement. In some cases the reversibility of the grate sections is not possible, thus in all those fire pots which measure less than 24 inches in diameter, only two grate bars can be installed because if three grate bars are being'made use of, either a perfectdumping action is lost or the-function ofireversing the center bar must'be eliminateddue tolack of necessary space. V 1

In all the embodimentsof my invention which have been: illustrated, itis to benoted that the size of the spaces or passages between the confronting faces ofthe lugs ontheqgrate bars and on the rim remainsthe samem Thesespaces'must be proportioned in'accordance with the cross sectional area of the flues and this is true whether the grates are largeaor small. It is an absoluterequirementfor'a good'and practical grate that it shall fulfi-ll the followingrequirements: First, that the right size of .mesh or. passageways'between the confronting faces of thelugs be secured; that the airway be exactly in proportion to the area ofthefiue; that the overhang of-the lugs are in proportion to thegeneralaxis; that-the grate bars are so constructe'd asto allow about four inches open space for dumping; that the grate shall have adepth-of about four inches to provide for the revers ing of the grate bars, and that there shall be about three inches of movement' for'shaking,

All formsof the grates illustrated-secure the functions above stated with the exception of the grate reversing facility'which, under some circumstances must be sacrificed: All of the 4 functions are secured by grates-con structed in accordance with my' invention-"in the following diameter of grates-z V 12 inches diameterhaving two bars; 24 inches diameter having-threebars, and 36 inches-diameter having fourbars;

' The grate reversing facility is sacrificed a's to thecenter of'thebar of a three bar'grate with grates of the following sizes, namely those 1 which a pproximate: 18' inchesin diameter, those which approximate 30 inchesin.

diameter, and those which: approximate 40 inches-in diameter. As to the" grate reversibility, it is obvious thata grate having a diameter'of eighteen inches would haveto'be fitted lip-either with two bars on whichthe lugs would. be'rather. long, or when three bars were'used', the-depthof the grate would'have to bereducod so as to-secure a properspace between-the confronting faces of the bars when thegratewas dumped. In this:case, therefore where three bars are installed in a small grateand the depth correspondingly reduced, we; sacrifice reversibility andalso sacrificeatrifle of tlie shaking ability. i p

On grates of the following diameters," namely- 12, 24, 36 %and- 48 inches, thedeptl-r of the grate bars is four inches and the space between the grate bars when they are turned. to a vertical position-for'dumpingis'fo'ur inches, but in grates-whose diameter is not divisible by four but only-"divisible bythree; it is necessary that three grate bars be used and. that :the; depth of the grate be reduced correspondinglyin order to secure a proper distance or space between the lugs or grate bars when turned to'a vertical position, and this prevents reversibility. I

Ihave illustrated a number of grates constructed in accordance with my invention, and it will be understood that the principle of my invention may be applied to grates of many different sizes without departing from the claims.

What I claim is- 1. In a grate, a rim formed in two opposed sections, a plurality of grate bars having parallel shafts rotatably mounted upon the rim and extending at right angles to the line of se aration between the sections of the rim, the shafts of the lateral grate bars being removable from engagement with the rim and interchangeable whereby the lateral grate bars may e interchanged and reversed when one surface of the lateral section is burned out, the intermediate grate bar being completely reversible in the rim whereby when said grate bars have been burned out, on one face, all the grate bars may be reversed.

, 2. In a grate, a frame, a plurality of grate bars havin parallel shafts rotatably mounted in the rame, the grate bars having opgsitely projecting lugs interdigitating when 's d in approximately the same plane, the ends of said lugs being convexly rounded concentric to the axis of oscillation of the grate bars whereby the ends of the lugs when the grate bars are oscillated through an are not greater than the depth of the lugs, will be spaced from the shafts of adjacent grate bars the same distance at all times, the upper and lower faces of the grate bars being flat.

3. In a grate, a rim, a plurality of grate bars rockingly mounted upon the rim, the

ate bars and rim having lugs interdigitatmg with each other when in normal position, the grate bars being oscillatable to a dumping position, and means for normally limiting the oscillation of the grate bars to approximately ninety degrees comprising stop lugs projecting from each grate bar and a longitudinally shiftable member having upwardl and laterally extending stops thereon, one

or each grate bar, said member when shifted in one direction, bringing the stops into the path of movement of the lugs to thereby limit the movement of the lugs to an angular distance approximately not greater than ninety degrees, or whenshifted out of such position permitting the grate bars to be turned through an angle greater than 90.

4. In a grate, a frame, a plurality of grate bars rockingly mounted upon the frame, the grate bars and frame having lugs interdigitating when disposed in the same plane, the grate bars being oscillatable to a dumping position, means for normally limiting the oscillation of the grate bars to approximate- 1y 90 comprising a radially projecting lug on each grate bar, a manually shiftable member disposed to extend transversely of all of the several grate bars, that edge of the member adjacent the grate bar being cut away opposite each grate bar, each cut away portion having at one end a longitudinally extending lug spaced from the bottom of the cut away portion and acting as a stop, said member when shifted in one direction bringing the several stops into the path of movement of the several lugs and thereby limiting the movement of the lugs to said angular extent, said member when shifted in the other direction, permitting the grate bars to be turned through an angle greater than 90.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

AUGUST J. KOEPSELL. 

